The Extraction Team Lead serves as the operational engine of the cannabis processing laboratory. This individual is the direct supervisor responsible for converting raw cannabis biomass into purified, high-value concentrates, which are the foundational ingredients for a vast array of consumer products. The role operates at the critical intersection of applied chemistry, process engineering, and stringent regulatory oversight. An Extraction Team Lead directs the hands-on execution of complex extraction procedures using volatile solvents like butane and ethanol or high-pressure systems involving supercritical CO2. Their primary mandate is to ensure every production run achieves maximum efficiency and yield while maintaining uncompromising standards for product quality and team safety. This position holds direct accountability for the performance of multi-million dollar equipment, the integrity of the final product, and the compliant documentation of every gram of material processed. Success in this role directly translates to enhanced profitability and market leadership for the organization.
The day's operations begin with a pre-shift huddle on the production floor. The Team Lead reviews the day’s production schedule, which details the specific cannabis strains to be processed and the target concentrate types, from live resin to distillate. They discuss the daily safety focus, perhaps centering on proper hazardous material handling during a solvent tank changeover. Key performance indicators from the previous shift, such as batch yields and cycle times, are reviewed with the team to set a performance benchmark for the day.
Following the huddle, the lead conducts a meticulous pre-operational check of the primary extraction equipment. Inside the Class 1, Division 1 (C1D1) explosion-proof room, they verify the pressure readings on a closed-loop hydrocarbon system, ensuring all valves are correctly sealed and the collection vessel is at the required cryogenic temperature. They confirm that the inline gas detection sensors are calibrated and fully operational, a non-negotiable step to prevent the accumulation of flammable vapors. They then oversee the loading of material columns with frozen cannabis biomass, ensuring the packing density is optimized to prevent channeling and maximize solvent-to-biomass contact for an efficient extraction.
Midday is dedicated to active production oversight and problem-solving. While managing a live butane extraction run, the lead notices a slower-than-expected solvent recovery rate. They immediately begin to diagnose the issue, guiding a junior technician to check the temperature of the recovery pump and the chiller system's glycol lines. The problem is identified as a partially clogged filter, which they supervise the technician in safely cleaning and replacing, restoring operational efficiency with minimal downtime. Concurrently, they coordinate with another team member who is operating a rotary evaporator to purge residual ethanol from a different batch of crude oil, ensuring the vacuum depth and bath temperature are perfectly set to preserve valuable terpenes.
The afternoon shifts focus toward data management and process refinement. After harvesting the crude oil from a completed run, the Team Lead meticulously weighs the output and calculates the yield percentage. They log this data, along with all processing parameters like run time, temperatures, and pressures, into the facility’s seed-to-sale compliance software, such as METRC. This creates an unalterable record for regulators and provides crucial data for future process improvement. They then prepare a sample of the new batch for the Quality Control department, properly labeling it and submitting it for third-party lab testing to verify its potency and purity. The cycle concludes with directing the team through rigorous end-of-shift sanitation protocols, breaking down and cleaning all equipment components to prevent cross-contamination between batches and ensure readiness for the next production cycle.
The Extraction Team Lead's performance is measured across three primary domains of responsibility:
The Extraction Team Lead directly influences key business performance metrics through the following mechanisms:
| Impact Area | Strategic Influence |
|---|---|
| Cash | Reduces operational cash burn by optimizing solvent recovery and consumption, minimizing waste, and preventing costly production errors. |
| Profits | Directly increases gross profit margins by improving extraction yields, maximizing cannabinoid and terpene capture from every pound of biomass. |
| Assets | Protects and extends the operational life of high-value extraction and distillation equipment through rigorous preventative maintenance and proper operational oversight. |
| Growth | Develops and refines standardized extraction procedures that are scalable and repeatable, forming the operational blueprint for future facility expansions. |
| People | Builds a highly skilled and motivated technical team, reducing employee turnover and the high costs associated with recruiting and training specialized talent. |
| Products | Ensures the production of safe, pure, and consistent concentrates, which is the cornerstone of brand reputation and consumer loyalty in a competitive market. |
| Legal Exposure | Mitigates the immense risk of catastrophic fires or explosions associated with volatile solvent handling, thereby preventing injury, facility loss, and severe legal liability. |
| Compliance | Guarantees that all extraction activities are performed and documented in strict accordance with state regulations, ensuring the facility remains in good standing and audit-ready. |
| Regulatory | Acts as the frontline implementer of new safety and operational regulations, adapting team procedures to stay ahead of evolving compliance landscapes. |
Reports To: This position typically reports to the Extraction Manager or the Director of Manufacturing/Production.
Similar Roles: This role is functionally equivalent to a Production Supervisor in chemical manufacturing, a Process Lead in the food and beverage industry, or a Senior Process Technician in pharmaceuticals or oil and gas. These titles reflect the core responsibilities of leading a technical team, operating complex equipment, and optimizing a regulated production process. Candidates with experience as a Brewery Cellar Manager or a Lead Compounding Technician also possess highly relevant skill sets in managing batches, sanitation, and team workflows.
Works Closely With: This position collaborates daily with the Quality Control Manager to ensure product specifications are met, the Cultivation Manager to coordinate biomass supply, the Compliance Officer to ensure regulatory adherence, and the Facilities Manager for equipment maintenance and infrastructure support.
Mastery of this role requires hands-on proficiency with a range of specialized industrial technologies:
Top candidates for this role often transition from other highly regulated, process-driven industries:
The role demands a unique blend of technical and interpersonal skills:
These organizations establish the regulations and standards that directly shape the daily responsibilities of an Extraction Team Lead:
| Acronym/Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| BHO | Butane Hash Oil. A potent cannabis concentrate extracted using butane as a solvent. |
| C1D1 | Class 1, Division 1. An engineering classification for a hazardous location where flammable gases or vapors are present under normal operating conditions. |
| COA | Certificate of Analysis. A document from an accredited laboratory that confirms a product meets its predetermined specifications for potency and purity. |
| Distillate | A highly refined cannabis concentrate where a specific cannabinoid (like THC or CBD) has been separated from other compounds through distillation. |
| GMP | Good Manufacturing Practices. A system of processes and documentation that ensures products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. |
| METRC | Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance. A widely used seed-to-sale software system for regulatory tracking. |
| PLC | Programmable Logic Controller. An industrial computer used to automate manufacturing processes by controlling machinery. |
| PPE | Personal Protective Equipment. Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards, including safety glasses, gloves, and flame-retardant clothing. |
| SOP | Standard Operating Procedure. A set of written, step-by-step instructions for performing a routine operation to ensure consistency and quality. |
| Supercritical CO2 | Carbon dioxide held at or above its critical temperature and pressure, causing it to adopt properties of both a liquid and a gas, making it an efficient extraction solvent. |
| Winterization | A post-extraction refinement process where crude oil is mixed with ethanol and chilled to solidify and remove undesirable fats, waxes, and lipids. |
| Yield | The amount of finished concentrate produced from a given amount of starting biomass, typically expressed as a percentage by weight. |
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